Category Archives: Of Local Interest

For the past twenty years, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has annually recognized one river as the River of the Year. This recognition is done to raise awareness of the important recreational, ecological, and historical resources associated with the state’s rivers and streams.

The River of the Year is celebrated throughout the year. Events have included paddling trips, a speaker series, clean up days, photography contests, and more. Partnerships of community groups organize the events including a Sojourn paddling trip. In addition, POWR coordinates the production and distribution of a free poster celebrating the river.

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, administers the River of the Year program. Local organizations submit nominations. POWR also helps organize and support local watershed associations, as well as the groups who lead a dozen sojourns on rivers around the state each year.

2017 PA River of the Year Nominees:Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is over 315 miles long, and with a watershed area of 11,580 square miles, contributes 60 percent of the Ohio River flow at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Including its tributaries, the Allegheny River system is the location of the most diverse and populous freshwater mussel habitat in the world, and is one of the most biologically diverse watersheds in Pennsylvania. Eighty‐six miles of the Allegheny River from Kinzua Dam to Emlenton, PA are a federally designated National Wild and Scenic Recreation River and contains seven islands that are protected under America’s National Wilderness Preservation System. Every year, thousands of people paddle down this beautiful river.

Cumulatively, 822 volunteers have donated 6,576 hours to collect 795 tires and 236 cubic yards of trash from the Allegheny Reservoir. Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development Council hope’s to bring attention to a large portion of the Middle and Upper Allegheny watershed to draw even more people to this haven of hills, streams, trees, and wildlife and educating the public about the value of water quality

Brandywine Creek
The Brandywine Creek is acknowledged to be one of the East Coast’s most beautiful watersheds. The creek begins as springs and seeps at over 1,000 feet in elevation on the Welsh Mountain ridge near where Chester, Berks and Lancaster counties meet. Totaling several hundred‐stream miles, the watershed includes an east branch and a west branch and multiple tributaries. The Brandywine flows south through rich farmland, down steep wooded valleys, past historic villages and mill towns, and passes nationally acknowledged historic sites on its way to the City of Wilmington where it discharges into the Christina River.

Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art is in the process of implementing a Strategic Action Plan. Many municipalities have already embarked on Greenway initiatives: preserving farms and critical open spaces; planting riparian buffer forests; planning and constructing local and regional trails; and promoting public access to the Creek for recreation.

Loyalhanna Creek
The Loyalhanna Creek is 41 miles long and drains nearly 300 square miles of land originating from the ridges of the Laurel Highlands near Donegal where it flows north toward Ligonier. The creek then cuts a beautiful, forested gorge through Chestnut Ridge and passes through the center of the City of Latrobe. From there, it passes through farmland and woodland and enters the Loyalhanna Lake, a large flood‐control project of the US Army Corps of Engineers that offers boating, camping and hiking opportunities.

Efforts to restore and improve the Loyalhanna Creek by Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Inc. and numerous conservation groups, universities and state and federal agencies have brought new attention to this once underutilized waterway. Over recent decades, because of the investment of millions of dollars to fund projects that treat abandoned mine drainage, repair eroding stream banks, protect and enhance riparian buffer areas, and increase public awareness and recreational opportunities, what was once an orange, shallow waterway that passed by mills and factories is now a cleaner, vibrant passageway.

Perkiomen Creek
The Perkiomen Creek drains 362 square miles; an area that extends from Berks to Bucks County and from Lehigh through Montgomery County. A total of 488 streams flow for 636 miles through the Perkiomen Watershed and enter the Schuylkill River near Oaks, PA. The upper Perkiomen Creek is largely agricultural while the lower Perkiomen Creek valley has recently witnessed an explosion of development.

The three main conservation challenges for the Perkiomen Creek and center on erosion and sedimentation from storm water runoff, nutrient loading due to poor agricultural practices, and riparian buffer destruction from residential development. Despite these conservation challenges, the Perkiomen Creek follows a secluded course that still offers feelings of isolation where a personal connection with nature might be gained. Other natural resources connected with the creek include the 20+ mile Perkiomen Trail, Green Lane Park and Reservoir, Evansburg State Park, a great number of smaller township and county parks, and a number of environmental education centers.

The voting period will last from November 14th to December 19th, 2016. Vote Here!

HARRISBURG – Museums and historical societies in Pennsylvania have been awarded a total of
$2 million for 130 grants, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66).

Scarnati explained that the grants were awarded as part of the state’s Cultural and Historical Support program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The goal of the program is to strengthen the Pennsylvania museum community through providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs.

“Our Commonwealth is fortunate to have outstanding museums and historical societies across Pennsylvania,” Senator Scarnati said. “I am glad that these grants will help offer assistance to historical sites so that they can continue to provide excellent educational opportunities within our communities.”

“Museums inspire curiosity and allow people to interpret works of art, history and culture,” Speaker Smith stated. “For the public good, they collect, safeguard and hold in trust valuable artifacts.”

According to Speaker Smith, this is the second year that legislative leaders have worked to ensure funding for museum grants was included in the state budget appropriation. This year’s program furthered the efforts of last year’s program, which allotted just over $1 million in funding for the grants in the 2012-13 state budget.

“We are pleased that this year’s program was able to expand upon the success of last year, and now provide aid to some of our smaller, local museums and historical societies,” Scarnati and Smith stated. “These grants are an important investment in helping communities across our state to preserve history for future generations to learn from.”

The program was open to museums located in Pennsylvania, as well as Official County Historical Societies. Award amounts were determined using an equation based on a percentage of the eligible museum’s previous year’s operating budget. The maximum any museum could receive was $65,000. The maximum for historical societies was $4,000.

For more information on the program, please visit PHMC’s website: www.phmc.state.pa.us.

DIY Strategic Planning

Need to develop a strategic plan, but don’t have the resources to hire a consultant? Get started through this training to learn how to Do-It-Yourself! Session will provide an overview of strategic planning topics, including brainstorming rules, flipcharting techniques, conducting a SWOT analysis, and more. Walk away with the tools and templates empowering you to create your company’s future plans.

Animal Health Care Assistant Orientation

May 21 at 6pm ~ Free information session

Held at JCC Warren Center

Enjoy the rewards of working with animals! This new 100 hour training will be held June 9-Aug. 27 on Monday & Wednesday evenings. Call now to learn more and RSVP for the orientation (required to attend).

Beginner Canoeing & Kayaking

Sat., June 7 from 10-noon ~ $20

Held at Chapman State Park

Learn safety and techniques to prepare for a great summer of paddling. Beginners and experienced paddlers both welcome! Following the workshop, join us for a casual cookout at the Park (included with registration). Sign-up deadline: May 29. Call 814-723-3577 to register.

Jump-start Your Fall

Earn 3 college credits this Summer

Transfers to most regional colleges*

English Composition II**

Tuesdays/Thursdays, May 20-June 30

9am-12:30pm at 589 Hospital Dr., Warren, PA

Transferable ~ Accessible ~ Affordable

~ Hi-Ed scholarships may available for qualified students attending Warren classes. Details at www.hi-ed.org.

~ JCC PEP grants available for eligible High School students. Talk to your counselor for details.

~PHEAA Summer Grants for students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per session). Note that PHEAA summer grants apply toward the maximum number of state grants a student may receive.

Social Media for Businesses

Course held Mon/Wed evenings in Warren

May 12-21, 6:30-8:30pm

Cost: $49

Are you connecting with your existing clients and reaching new customers through social media? If not, you may be losing out on a valuable marketing and engagement tool for your business. Learn techniques for social media management with this hands-on training, plus best practices to increase ROI.

NEW STUDENTS

Free, one-on-one sessions with our certified counselor, open to all Warren & Forest county residents.

Call 723-3577 to schedule – Limited number of openings still available for May 14.

Hi-Ed Diploma Program

JCC’s Brady Deiunk met with Warren-Forest Higher Education Council Adult Diploma program students on April 29 in Warren to discuss career pathways and answer questions about JCC programs. The innovative program provides those who want to earn a H.S. diploma the opportunity to bridge the gap between the GED and skills needed for careers or a successful college experience.

Industry Club Day @ JCC

Students gain insight on occupations

Nearly 70 middle school students from Warren County schools visited JCC’s Jamestown campus on April 16 to gain insight into careers and education in manufacturing, occupational therapy, communications, and nursing fields. The students belong to the Warren County School-To-Work Industry Club program, providing career exploration experiences for youth.

Counselor Luncheon

JCC Jamestown hosted several Warren County School District counselors for a visit and luncheon on April 10 to share updates and insight on JCC programs and opportunities for Warren County students. Counselors learned about JCC scholarships, study abroad programs, campus life, transferability, and academic offerings, as well as meeting with a panel of several JCC students to discuss the student experience.

Kiwanis Presentation

The Kiwanis Club of Warren learned about JCC programs and new Warren County partnerships at the April meeting, held at Jefferson Defrees Center. If your group or company would like to learn more about JCC, contact Abby Skinner at 814-723-3577 for arrangements.

Congratulations!

Beth McCullough, RN, a Nurse in the Critical Care Unit at Warren General Hospital and 2006 graduate of JCC, was selected this April by the JCC Alumni Association to receive a 2014 JCC Alumni Nurse of Distinction Award.

Harrisburg – Pennsylvania female service members and veterans of all military branches and components are invited to attend the PA Women Veterans Symposium slated for June 6-8, 2014, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.

This event, co-hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services, and Journey to Normal, will feature informative general and breakout sessions, a health and wellness fair, and an opportunity to meet and network with fellow female veterans.

“Last year’s inaugural symposium drew more than 230 attendees and it was a huge success,” said Brig. Gen. Jerry Beck, the state’s deputy adjutant general for veterans’ affairs. “This year’s symposium will provide attendees with an opportunity to attend top-notch educational sessions, build camaraderie, and meet one-on-one with vendors and exhibitors that can address their particular needs whether they are recently transitioning back to civilian life or simply need help navigating a complex system of VA programs and benefits.”
The registration fee is $25 for female Pennsylvania veterans and includes meals and lodging for the symposium. Space is limited, so registrants will be sharing rooms.

Journey to Normal is seeking sponsors, donors, vendors and exhibitors to underwrite the symposium. For more information, please contact Jennifer Boeringer at (412) 244-1244.

The Oswayo Fish Hatchery in Coudersport, Potter County, will remain open, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson).

At a special meeting of The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) on March 22, 2013, the Board voted unanimously to keep the Oswayo Hatchery in Potter County and the Bellefonte Hatchery in Centre County open for at least an additional two years. This decision reverses the PFBC’s previous vote in January 2013 to close both hatcheries by the end of 2014.

Prior to January and the PFBC’s initial announcement of plans to close the hatcheries, the General Assembly was unaware that shutting down these hatcheries was being considered by the PFBC, Scarnati said.

“Fish hatcheries play an important role in helping provide the fish necessary to support recreational fishing for anglers,” Scarnati said. “Investing in our local hatcheries is a significant way to encourage ongoing economic growth throughout the region. I am pleased that the PFBC realized the negative implications their decision would have for rural Pennsylvania and I look forward to continuing discussions with the PFBC as to how we can best fund these important local hatcheries.”

Originally established in 1968, the Oswayo Fish Hatchery is located on fourteen developed acres of land owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the Fish and Boat Commission. The hatchery employs nine individuals and produces an average of 181,261 pounds of fish per year, including brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and golden rainbow trout.

A total of fifteen fish hatcheries are strategically located across the Commonwealth to take advantage of high-quality water supplies and maximize fish stocking logistics.

The U.S Fish & Wildlife Service and the American Sportsfishing Association estimate fishing and fishing related activities generate more than $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania’s economy each year. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania projects the positive economic impact at $4.7 billion.

The Oswayo Hatchery is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A Season on the Allegheny, the insightful and hilarious book about hunting, history, culture, and conservation on Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest, is not just for Pennsylvanians anymore. Readers all over the US – as well as in Great Britain and Germany – are now enjoying the book that Amazon reviewers rate five stars (click here to read reviews).

A Season on the Allegheny has been a Top 10 Best Seller in the Hunting and Conservation categories in the Kindle Store and currently ranks in the top 10% of all books sold on Amazon.

Order your copy today at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com, or ask for a copy at a bookstore near you.

Why are so many people giving A Season on the Allegheny a try?
Here are a few comments from satisfied readers:
“Mixed history, culture, land and wildlife with a personal introspection and humor”
“I find myself thinking of hunting and conservation in a different way”
“Hated for the book to come to an end”
“Reminds us that the journey is the important part of the outdoors”
“I loved A Season on the Allegheny”

So whether you’re in New York or North Dakota, if you love the outdoors and
want to enjoy the book that’s at the head of the list and top of the heap, don’t wait.
Order your copy of A Season on the Allegheny today!

CPL Joshua Boston recently wrote a letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) concerning her efforts to establish more rigid gun control in the United States. He clarifies the way the average American citizen is viewed by the liberal elite in our government. CPL Boston’s letter should be required reading for every American.

“Senator Dianne Feinstein,

I will not register my weapons should this bill be passed, as I do not believe it is the government’s right to know what I own. Nor do I think it prudent to tell you what I own so that it may be taken from me by a group of people who enjoy armed protection yet decry me having the same a crime. You ma’am have overstepped a line that is not your domain. I am a Marine Corps Veteran of 8 years, and I will not have some woman who proclaims the evil of an inanimate object, yet carries one, tell me I may not have one.

I am not your subject. I am the man who keeps you free. I am not your servant. I am the person whom you serve. I am not your peasant. I am the flesh and blood of America.
I am the man who fought for my country. I am the man who learned. I am an American. You will not tell me that I must register my semi-automatic AR-15 because of the actions of some evil man.

I will not be disarmed to suit the fear that has been established by the media and your misinformation campaign against the American public.

The new book “A Season on the Allegheny” by Warren County author Robert Hilliard is now in print and a book signing event will be held at the Forest County Visitor Center on Saturday, June 9th from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm.

This is a rollicking account of a year spent hunting on the Allegheny National Forest. Hilliard tracks down more than deer, turkey and grouse – he captures the forest’s magnificent past and finds the people who are still making history on the Allegheny today. He also pursues the many controversies that swirl around Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, including anti-logging and anti-drilling protests, Wilderness designations and eco-terrorism.

In addition, “A Season on the Allegheny” uncovers the quiet but powerful impact of hunter-based conservation groups. It demonstrates that from habitat improvements to legal aid, these grups have spent countless hours and dollars making the Allegheny National Forest a better place for both animals and people.

This book is for anyone who loves hunting, the Allegheny National Forest, or just entertaining books about the outdoors.

Join the author at the Visitor Center, 422 Elm Street, Tionesta, PA 16353, to swap a few stories about the Allegheny National Forest, and purchase your own signed copy.

Fish for Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish for Pennsylvania’s most popular fish without a fishing license. Each year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Executive Director designates 2 Fish for Free Days. No fishing license is required to fish on Pennsylvania’s waterways on these days. All other fishing regulations still apply.

Fish for Free Days are the perfect opportunity to introduce a friend or relative to the lifelong sport of fishing. There’s no better way to enjoy Pennsylvania’s great outdoors than a day of fishing with the entire family.

Harrisburg, PA – Anglers registered with Cabela’s “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?” promotion will have an opportunity to land prize-winning fish in eight Pennsylvania waterways announced today by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Cabela’s.

In conjunction with the contest, the PFBC will offer fishing instruction and a variety of other activities at six of the eight waters on May 30 as part of its annual Fish-for-Free day. The selected waters where Fish-for-Free activities will be held include:

Lake Wallenpaupack, a 5,700-acre lake located in Pike and Wayne counties;

Raystown Lake, an 8,000-acre lake in Huntingdon County;

The Emsworth Pool of the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh;

Presque Isle Bay, a 3,300-acre body of water which is part of Presque Isle State Park in Erie County;

Lake Nockamixon, a 1,450-acre lake located within Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County.

The remaining two waters include:

Penns Creek, which begins from a spring in Penns Cave, Centre County, and flows eastward to its confluence with the Susquehanna River near Selinsgrove in Snyder County.

Lake Arthur, a 3,200-acre lake located within Moraine State Park in Butler County.

The contest officially starts today and runs through July 14. Anglers can register through the PFBC website at www.fishandboat.com/fishformillions.htm for a chance at landing the $2.2 million prize.

“We’re excited that the Cabela’s contest coincides with our first Fish-for-Free day on Memorial Day,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and it’s a day when many families and friends get together at lakes and parks throughout the state. It is the first of two Fishing Holidays this year.”

“First-time anglers can learn how to fish from our instructors and, in the process, maybe land a prize-winning fish,” he added. “It’s a great way to get introduced to the sport of fishing.”

In addition to providing free fishing tips, PFBC outreach and education staff will have exhibits, free publications and more at the six selected sites. Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish. No fishing license is required to fish on these days. All other fishing regulations apply. The second Fish-for-Free Day is Labor Day, Sept. 5.

The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com

Darr Web Solutions is now offering a 30-day free trial of high-speed wireless broadband internet and phone service in the Warren, Pa area, using WiMAX broadband technology, as your local authorized dealer for Open Range.

Surf the web at 4G speeds without the need for a phone line or cable modem. Your home becomes your own private wireless hotspot. Our digital phone service gives you crystal-clear calling, with unlimited local and long distance calling, and allows you to select a new number or transfer your old one.

Best of all, there areNo Contracts, and No Cancellation Fees!

Call (814) 723-4597 and order your service through Darr Web Solutions, and we’ll deliver and install your new package free of charge!

Thirty men, women and children turned out for the spring Pheasants Forever work day in conjunction with the PA Game Commission. One retired gentleman travel 3 hours from Bradford county to show his support by building habitat. Forty degree temperatures made sure everyone had to work to stay warm.

Crews topped and stacked pine trees, fire cherry and the like to create brush piles for small animals on new State Game Lands #44. Cover and a safe nesting location are essential to keep the smaller animals away for the predators. In the next few years, the trimmed areas will sprout with blackberries and scrub to give the animals even more food and habitat.

A second crew headed into the game lands to take down a fence that was transported to the new game lands. It will later be reinstalled to shelter small crab apple tree seedlings.

PF sponsored a lunch for the hungry crews. Homemade soup, chili, hot dogs and fudge tasted better than ever after a full mornings work.

Our Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 is proud to be able to contribute man-power to these events, building habitat for now and the future.

PF Chapter 630 is a very successful chapter thanks to the continued support of our members. Come see out display at the Central PA Outdoor and Sports Show at the Clearfield Fair Grounds, March 25-27, 2011. Our next meeting is Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Capital City fire hall on Front Street in Ridgway, PA.

Visit our web site at http://www.northcentralpa.pheasantsforever.org/. For more information, call Jane at 814-772-4604.